$22,000 recovered for Sunshine Coast workers

A number of workers on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast have been reimbursed a total of $22,000 after recent investigations by the Fair Work Ombudsman found they were underpaid.

The largest recovery was $9800 for a Nambour truck driver who was underpaid wages in lieu of notice and redundancy entitlements.

After Fair Work inspectors contacted the company and explained its obligations, the worker was back-paid in full.

Other recent recoveries include:

$7000 for a Coolum Beach labourer underpaid the minimum hourly rate, and

$5800 for a Nambour manager underpaid long service leave entitlements.

Fair Work Ombudsman Executive Director Michael Campbell says that given the employers all co-operated and voluntarily rectified their underpayments, there will be no further action against the companies involved.

"We have a flexible, fair approach and our preference is always to work with employers to educate them and help them voluntarily rectify any non-compliance issues we identify," he said.

Mr Campbell says employers need to regularly review their Award or agreement to ensure they are fully aware of their obligations to their workers.

The Fair Work Ombudsman has a number of tools on its website at www.fairwork.gov.au to assist employees and employers.

Small to medium-sized businesses without human resources staff can ensure they are better equipped when hiring, managing and dismissing employees by using free template employment documentation available Online.

Online resources also include payslip and record-keeping templates, a self-audit checklist and fact sheets.

Employers or employees seeking assistance or further information can also contact the Fair Work Infoline on 13 13 94 from 8am-6pm weekdays. For translations, call 13 14 50.

Note: We are unable to provide additional information on the cases listed above.

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The Fair Work Ombudsman is committed to providing advice that you can rely on. The information contained on this website is general in nature. If you are unsure about how it applies to your situation you can call our Infoline on 13 13 94 or speak with a union, industry association or workplace relations professional. Visitors are warned that this site may inadvertently contain names or pictures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who have recently died.